Atheism, Evolution, Skepticism

Saint Matthew’s Churches: a scam

I received a letter in the mail today from “Saint Matthew’s Churches” in Tulsa Oklahoma. I’ve gotten a few mailings from them in the past, and have no idea how I got on their mailing list. Inside the envelope is several things:

A “prayer handkerchief” that is a piece of paper printed with a handkerchief-like pattern.
A self-addressed envelope (addressed to “Saint Matthew’s Churches”)
A sealed envelope that contains “prophecies” that I’m not supposed to open yet.
And a few pages explaining what I’m supposed to do.

As a minister for more than half-a-century, I’ve read and reread, in the Holy Bible, how God instructs ministers to send Bible faith handkerchiefs to people’s homes, and, as a result, miracles of blessings occur.

Here, I loan you, in Jesus holy name, this paper, Bible faith handkerchief for something good to happen for you (Acts 19:11,12)…

Dear… Someone Connected with This Home, Who Needs Prayer and God’s Divine Help and Blessings… in The Name of The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit,

We’ve been on our knees, praying over this address and someone connected with it, because we feel someone connected to this home needs God’s help and blessings.

(Yes, all the ellipses are theirs, not mine.)

The letter goes on like this, talking about: God’s blessings, “actual” testimonies about miracles happening because of these handkerchiefs, how in the New Testament, people were healed by handkerchiefs that had previously touched Paul (Acts 19:11,12), the importance of *faith*, how I’m supposed to write my prayer on this “prayer handkerchief”, leave the handkerchief on top of an open Bible overnight (opened to Acts 19:11,12, of course), read the sealed prophecy tomorrow morning, and then mail my “handkerchief” back to them so that they can pray over it, and (hopefully) God will answer my prayer. What? No pleas for money? Oh yeah, that too. In *several* places they mention “sowing a seed”. Specifically:

I am asking you right now to pray about sowing a biblical seed offering unto the Lord. As your faith leads you to sow a seed gift to the Lord’s work, give God your best seed and believe Him for His best blessing (St. Luke 6:38). Get out a seed offering and give it to God as your seed toward your harvest, and toward the work of Jesus Christ, for this is the work of God that this church is doing (Galatians 6:7)

(All the bold and underlining is theirs.)

There were several other statements about “sowing a seed offering” – in one case, they said seed offerings would be used to send out more handkerchiefs to bless more people. (Ain’t that sweet?) Here’s an example of one of their mailings.

Something about the letter makes me imagine lonely old grandmothers who are improverished and in poor health being taken in my this scam. There’s degree to which it reminds me of voodoo, too, and this isn’t the first time I’ve heard of the whole “miracle handkerchiefs” thing. When Marjoe was pulling his scam, he specifically mentions giving out handkerchiefs in church that supposedly had miracle-working power. Behind the scenes, I believe he referred to them along the lines of: “cheap little trinkets that he could give out at church services”.

“Once a traveling tent-revival preacher, the Rev. James Eugene Ewing built a direct-mail empire from his mansion in Los Angeles that brings millions of dollars flowing into a Tulsa post office box.

Ewing’s computerized mailing operation, Saint Matthew’s Churches, mails more than 1 million letters per month, many to poor, uneducated people, while Ewing lives in a mansion and drives luxury cars.

The letters contain an alluring promise of ‘seed faith:’ send Saint Matthew’s your money and God will reward you with cash, a cure to your illness, a new home and other blessings. They often contain items such as prayer cloths, a ‘Jesus eyes handkerchief,’ golden coins, communion wafers and ‘sackcloth billfolds.’ Recipients are often warned to open the letters in private and not discuss them with others.

Each month, thousands of Americans receive envelopes postmarked from Tulsa filled with biblical trinkets such as a Bank of Heaven check listing God as president and Jesus as vice president.

And each month, thousands of recipients send back cash, checks and their handwritten prayers to the organization, Saint Matthew’s Churches.

One religious watchdog group, the Trinity Foundation, estimates the pitches bring up to $6 million every month.

Though Saint Matthew’s letters list only a Tulsa post office box, the letters and money flow back to a downtown Tulsa office building owned by the group’s attorney, J.C. Joyce.

There, in the basement of a building housing Joyce’s law firm, a staff of 17 employees work up to 12 hours each day opening the letters, taking out cash and checks and depositing the rest in trash cans called “holy bins.”

The facility features heavy security, with cameras, thick steel doors and is accessible only with special elevator keys. One worker’s job is simply to bundle the large stacks of cash using a money-counting machine.

“It’s almost laughable if it weren’t so sacrilegious,” said Dick McClure, who worked for a company called Bixby Mail Inc. in Joyce’s building. Records list Joyce as a corporate officer of Bixby Mail Inc., which was incorporated in 2001.

Day’s total: $86,000
McClure, 67, of Sand Springs, said he took the job to make some extra income in March but quit several weeks ago because he had concerns about where the money was going. He said his job was to open thousands of letters to Saint Matthew’s each day and note on the envelopes how much had been sent. He said one deposit slip he saw listed that day’s total as $86,000.

“You pull out all of the marketing material and you put it in what they call a holy bin. It’s like a trash bin. People may have prayer requests on there; it doesn’t matter . . . What they want to know is who gave it and how much.”

…

Joyce declined to release records showing what Saint Matthew’s does with the funds, saying: “It’s not anybody’s business.”

Unlike other nonprofits, organizations classified as churches by the IRS are not required to file a 990 form stating how much they receive or how they spend their funds.

In 1999, the last year Saint Matthew’s filed a public 990 tax form, the organization reported $26.8 million in revenue. It reported spending $4 million on salaries, $989,000 on legal fees, $817,000 for housing and $649,000 for travel.

The man behind Saint Matthew’s is the Rev. James Eugene Ewing, a former traveling tent revival preacher. Evans, the Trinity Foundation investigator, said Ewing lives in a Beverly Hills townhouse and “lives a reclusive but extravagant lifestyle.”

It’s all a bunch of “prosperity theology” stuff which is also promoted by Falwell, Popoff, and other preachers. It makes leaders wealthy, and cons people out of their money with empty promises that God will reward them for their “faith based offering”. The nastiest part about all of this is the way it disproportionately draws in the poor and desperate. I’ve heard that prosperity theology has been doing especially well in Brazil and other third-world countries – where large segments of the population are living in poverty and grasping for hope. This sick scam of “prosperity theology” impoverishes the poor, and makes the churches and church leaders rich (and therefore, powerful). If Gene Ewing’s “Saint Matthew’s Churches” sounds like an obvious scam by some small-time con artist, I should point out that Ewing has ties to some of the most powerful preachers in the US:

During a second meeting with Roberts, Ewing laid out his seed-faith philosophy.

‘Gene [Ewing] laid out one of the most sophisticated fund-raising campaigns I had ever seen. He said, ‘Oral, I want you to write your supporters and tell them you are going in the prayer tower, and you are going to read their prayer requests and pray over them.’ He stayed there three days. I forget how many hundred thousands of letters we had, but it was huge.’

Robinson said that on Ewing’s advice, Roberts responded to the letters with a letter outlining seed faith.

‘You give and you get from God. It was a kind of prosperity gospel,’ Robinson said.

Roberts was so happy with Ewing’s advice that he gave Ewing the plane, Robinson said.

The next year, income to Roberts’ ministry doubled, to $12 million from about $6 million, Robinson said.

Despite the prosperous times, Robinson said, he was unhappy in the job and soon quit. Today, he is a pastor of the All Faiths Unitarian Congregation Church in Fort Myers, Fla.

‘Once he did it with the biggest man of all, then all the others were just tickled to get on board.’

Robinson said that after he left Roberts’ ministry, he had a chance meeting on an airplane with Tulsa-based evangelist T.L. Osborn, who had also sought Ewing’s services.

‘He said, ‘We were down to counting pencils and paper clips until Gene came along.’ ‘

Ewing’s flair for effective, dramatic direct-mail appeals won him jobs writing for evangelists including Tilton, Rex Humbard and Rev. Ike. In many cases, the letters are identical but contain different signatures.

The Trinity Foundation, which obtained copies of the identical letters, has dubbed Ewing ‘God’s Ghostwriter.’

‘We had nine different televangelists essentially sending out the same letter,’ Anthony said. ‘He (Ewing) makes most of his money by selling these packages to televangelists.”

I pray for people to open there hearts and give their worries and weaknesses to God. We can’t do it without him. Have no doubt we reap what we sew! I got the letter too. It never said you had to send money! I give with time and love. By holding myself accountable and forgiving my imperfections, by making myself vulnerable without expectation. People are so nice to me everywhere I go! Because I believe we all want to be kind. Dont be afraid to love yourself through Gods eyes, it’s a beautiful sight!

I feel truly sorry for all the folks below who tried to buy ‘blessings’. Shame on you. Learn from your mistakes. If you want to spend money doing gods work, then buy some poor kid some shoes or a homeless person a meal. Connect with people. Read the bible if you must – the WHOLE THING – EVEN THE PARTS THAT TELL YOU HOW TO TREAT YOUR SLAVES. But for chirst sake, quit listening to tele-scammers interpret the bible for you and ask for your money.

I have made a little hobby out of answering Ewing’s relentless mail. I return EVERY post paid envelope I receive with something heavy in it. They sent me a freaky little aluminum coin so I told them I “planted their prosperity seed” and I mailed 3 large washers back in to them their envelope.If we all work together we can take the profit out of this scam.

My boyfriend has been responding and sending so much of his money to these people. I think he’s brainwashed. He has a really bad attitude and isn’t nice to people at all. Very selfish and doesn’t care about anyone but himself. Crazy part is he’s so dependant on them letters that he feels like he’s gods biggest gift and he’s about to have all these powers and stuff waiting to happen for him. He believes he’s going to be so blessed by him keep responding back to them and sending them all his money. He got one out of nowhere one day years ago when he was broke and didn’t have anything or anyone. Now everything that happens in his life every day he says “The Lord (the letters) told me this was gonna happen. He’s been sending them money for years. I know it’s a scam but I feel like he’s so brainwashed and he even puts the letters before me. If I say anything about his letters he gets angry and lashes out at me.

This is how my uncle (ashamed) can afford New cars for his whole family and friends every year. He & his fellow con artist live in mansions. In Beverly Hills.They have private planes.Take vacations in exotic locations. He has been running the same con for over 50 years. The same STUPID trinkets in the mail. The letters have changed very little over the years. Why?? Because it works! He does not pray over any letters. He PREYS on the desperate & gullible! Unfortunately your boyfriend has fallen for the scam. This man does not give a damn about any hardship his victims face. He is my Dads brother. My Dad died many years ago. I lost two brothers and a sister. He could not be bothered to even send a card when they died. He truly has lived like a king all these years. Now the next generation is taking over. All the sons, daughters, grandsons,& granddaughters of all them will keep the con going. So anyone that gives them a dime are helping them continue to live like royalty. Unfortunately he will not believe a word of the truth. And that con artist will die rich. And so will the “reverends” and their familys.

I have made a little hobby out of answering Ewing’s relentless mail. I return EVERY post paid envelope I receive with something heavy in it. They sent me a freaky little aluminum coin so I told them I “planted their prosperity seed” and I mailed 3 large washers back in to them their envelope.If we all work together we can take the profit out of this scam.I also changed my name to Ned Flanders and they never picked up on it.I guess nobody working for this outfit ever saw The Simpsons.

In God’s Eyes, it doesn’t matter what the person you give the money to does with it, or if they are genuine, as long as YOU believe you are giving it for the RIGHT reasons… you will still be blessed. Like if you give $10 to a homeless guy for food and he blows it on liquor… You are still going to be blessed! It’s not our place to judge others, that is God’s place and his alone, and he will deal with those who abuse our generosity. FYI… I sent $5 to in response to that St Matthews letter and a few days later I received a real check in the mail for $100, from a contest I didn’t even know I was entered in – The following week I won $86. That may be small, but I only gave small too. GOD Blessed me because I sent it for the right reasons, just as he always does. Laugh if you want, but it works.

It definitely works. I won $486.00 in a drawing with 6$ worth of tickets. I gave a very small amount too! I was brought up to believe that only rich people have money, to just accept that I’d always struggle. That’s sooo not true. Fortunately I was also taught that I should give more than I take and leave things better than the way I found them….Let go of old mind sets, Tinyfrog, it’s liberating!

If you give to “saint matthews churches” though, according to the story above, here is what happens to it:
“There, in the basement of a building housing Joyce’s law firm, a staff of 17 employees work up to 12 hours each day opening the letters, taking out cash and checks and depositing the rest in trash cans called “holy bins.”

So, give you money closer to home, to people that are suffering, not to people that are using it to buy mansions and fancy cars.

Hello LivingLargebyFaith. I don’t believe that God actually answers prayers or rewards faith. I think when people believe He does, it’s because of coincidence and confirmation bias. Also, have you watched this video? It includes a segment on some people who gave to Peter Popoff’s ministry – even borrowing from their family in hopes that taking their leap of faith would be rewarded by God. It wasn’t – it ended up just putting them further in debt.

i gave to the st.mathews church. i quess i was just reaching out for hope. i lost my husband a year ago. so i quess i have been scamed. i will not send anymore money to them . i would rather give to a local church or a homeless person. i feel like i have been had. when you are not in the right state of mind and all you want is some help from above , you do not think clearly. well i am thinking clearly now. i will not send another cent. thanks lc md

I hope the Rev. Ewing and his crooks get what they deserve when they are standing there on judgment day. I, too, have been a victim of this scam. I have been receiving letters and giving donations to the so called church for three years(and by the way, they ask for money in each and every letter I have received). The letters came to me when I was going through the most difficult time in my life: my parents had both passed away after lengthy illnesses, just went thru a divorce from an abusive husband of ll years, recently found out after 38 years of age I was adopted at birth, my only child had went away to college, recently lost my job, found myself in a middle of a court action, financially destroyed, and had been hospitalized for a failed suicide attempt. It was like the letter said “God had instructed them to contact me while I was going through this time in my life.”

I actually looked forward to the letters at least once a week sometimes more, reading that the Lord wanted me to know the things that had came to them while in prayer.

I recently purchased a computer and the internet. One night I thought I would look up the church to see all about it. Well, I guess you know what I found out. The whole church theme is a scam and I am not the only one being scammed. It will not happen to me again. I will the money to my local church and community. There is always someone who really needs help in your own community.

This has really angered me that God’s name and the church’s name would be used for this purpose. The articles I have read has enlightened me on the tele-evang. Joel Osteen, Oral Roberts and etc. Thanks for all the information. Let’s all put these people out of business in the LORD’S name.

I am not a bible scholar of any kind, but you only have to read the gospels to realize this is prophesied. Jesus said ( I am paraprhaseing here) they will put more emphasis on the the gift on the alter than the one who sanctifies the gift. He also said many would call his name but few would be answered. He said it would be easier for a camel to walk thru the eye of a needle than for a rich man to get into heaven. He warned the apostles about wolves among you.
There a good Christian people out there that gain far more joy by helping those in need than amassing human possesions. These people are seeking their reward in this life. If they trully believed in the afterlife they could not in good conscience live lavish lifestyles while people they know are in need. Jesus chastised the religous leaders of his day for the same thing. If your sending a seed offering in expectation of recieving a profitable return then you have missed the point. The best seed that could ever be planted is by imitating Christ and becoming a fisher of men. The LOVE of money is the root of all evil, and you can witness evil every sunday morning on TV.

[…] I started to think: have I dropped-off the St. Matthew’s Churches mailing list? (I talked about them last May, and their scam.) Well, I’m still on it because today I received another letter from them. I guess I’m […]

Recently, my mother recieved one of their booklets. I counted at least 19 different bibles referenced to in their deceptive plot to gain financial support from people who don’t know better. (I don’t think that she payed it any attention. She’s a smart old bird.)
I almost counted the number of times that scripture was misused. But, Why bother? The ENTIRE booklet (223 pages) referred back to sowing a seed of money.

GOD does NOT send BEGGARS!

I checked out their website and all I found was a lot of running around the truth. I do not recall any direct teaching of The Bible mentioned. (notice I said teaching)
A verse here and there taken out of context is not teaching.
IT’S DECEPTION ! ! ! !
Instead, what I found was EXACTLY WHAT I EXPECTED,
a synagog of Satan.

They claim to have at least 16,000 members at the church.
I could only imagine the countless numbers of lies told from their lips each day. While this does bother me, that people could be decieved so easily, It only restores my faith in the knowledge that GOD has given me of His Truths.

My friends, The end of this Earth age in near. I hope that you know the truths. One of which is the return of Satan, first-before Jesus, preteding to be Christ. Another is the fact that the “RAPTURE” doctrine is a FALSE TEACHING !
GOD says in Ezekiel chapter 13 verses 18-23 that GOD is against those that teach His children to fly to save their souls. He will rip them from their arms and show that He is the LORD our GOD.

Almost ALL of the people of the earth will see Satan and think that he is Jesus.

Will you be one who doesn’t?

My prefered study materials are as follows:
The King James Bible (KJV)
(no new or watered down versions)
The Companion Bible (Dr. Bullinger, KJV with outlines)
(study bible that helps you reference and research)
The Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible
( I really like this tool, it tells you almost everything you ever wanted to know, as it is in GOD’s Word. In Hebrew, Greek, and Chaldee – The original composition of the Bible.
Definitions, scripture, crossreferences, comparisons, etc.)
The Smith’s Bible Dictionary
There are others, but this is a good start if you would like to read them and study with them.

Don’t just take my word for it. Check it out for yourself.

I love you all.
May you each find the truth you seek in Our Father, The One and Only, YHVH – GOD, MASTER CRAFTSMAN of all things.

Hy soul was Lost my worth on this material earth estimated a 150 million i feel i am priceless . Is it a scam? Look at the price JESUS CHRIST Paid for our soules . I say No They are soul winners i think they should get more money! to fund there programs.

Dear angel in training:I agree with you,without them i would of commited suicide by now.I HAVE GONE BACK TO MY OWN CHURCH NOW BUT I WILL NOT FORGET THEM OR LET THEM GO.I WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THEM,FOR I KNOW THEY DID NOT MAKE MONEY OFF OF ME,AT BEST THEY ARE BREAKING EVEN.YET THEY CONTINUE TO HELP ME THE LORD!!!GOD BLESS YOU JIM

I WONDER WHY EVERY TIME I GET A LETTER FROM THEM IT DOES NOT SEEM IT IS ONLY FOR ME! I HAVE NO MONEY TO MY NAME I AM LIVING ON BORROWED TIME SINCE MY HUSBAND OF 37YEARS LEFT ME FOR A ***** THAT HE HAD BEEN SEEING FOR 22YEARS AND I WAS TO STUPID TOSEE IT! I HAVE TO BEG FO MONEY FROM MY KIDS AND SELL EVERYTHING I OWEN. WHAT MORE CAN I DO!!!!!!!

well i have to say maybe it depends on your faith, I received the letters to and been replying, I have had good news like they said, but haven’t prospered financially yet. BUT in addition I was laid off from work and now i receive unemployment, I was going to mail them some money today to test my faith by sewing a seed????

[…] giving to God (via the church), that God will reward them back for the generosity. (Case in point: the St.Matthews Church scam.) It’s rather sad. One quote from the article: To explain her giving, Davis offered the two […]

I recieved my first letter from St Mathews a few years ago and did as they said to pray on these peice of paper as a prayer carpet and never recieved anything back. Just recently I started recieving letters from them again and answered everyone still no blessings. I figured it was a scam and sence when does god want you to send him money for blessings I was always tought all you need is faith. Thinks for the insight

I have been told that if I give them a certain amount of money, then unusual events would transpire within 7 to 14 days. Or 21 days. Or that I would have a burning bush experience. I sent the money. Nothing transpired from it. These promises have failed every time.
I made a mistake a couple of years ago and they knew about it. I never said anything about it to them or others before, during, or after. They knew about it. They quote God as saying about a dream I want fulfilled, “I have not denied you. Only delayed it.” Whatever ‘it’ is. So I know they are psychic.
At the Berkeley Psychic Institute in Santa Rosa, California there was a lady doing readings on students. A teacher named Michael says, “Clayton, you’re on the hot seat” I sit in front of the lady. She says, “I know what he knows. I can’t control him.” Holy word, cross, church. The students are okay. The teachers have their Luciferic agenda. Miss Lucifer made that clear with her confession as did Michael.
So even if they are psychic, prophetic, etc, does not mean they are in integrity. St. Matthews may be in integrity or not. As one prophet said in a church when I was younger. “When you see leaders of my people falling dead, you won’t rejoice, and you won’t stop my hand.”
If St. Matthew’s is in integrity then God bless them. If not then I ‘Sow what I reaped. Return what I received. With interest. Profitable servent.” What am I returning to any and all ‘cons’? Satan. He will have his belly filled with these worthless saviors and leave me alone. They will be gone and leave me alone. I will be free. WIN. WIN. WIN.
They want him, they can have him.

The letters give me the creeps. I am a firm believer in prayer and God, but this just gave me the creeps big time. I received one today that had a prayer on the back of it saying a prayer that they would come to my house, and pray with me. NOOOO!!! This really has freaked me out bad, because I don’t know who they are or they could be killers for all i know. I have never sent money to them, I just sent one form back with boxes checked for them to pray for me. I thought, what could it hurt, right? Wrong, i’m so paranoid now, i don’t want them knowing my address. Can anyone tell me what to do, and reassure me that these people ain’t coming to my house!

I just want to add the wolf in sheep’s clothing. SHEEP LURE YOU IN. WOLVES DEVOUR YOU. Like the psychic school.

For those like Miss Lucifer, I can only compare them to the movie THE HAUNTED 1991. That is with Sally Kirkland. A FOX television movie. There is a lady you could not see in two scenes. Upstairs in part 7 of the full story and in the house cleaning, or exorcism of the house part 8.

The priest was doing his work. The people were in a circle praying. AND THE INVISIBLE LADY WAS SCREAMING.
Don’t be her.

This is what I hope happens to Miss Lucifer and the like.
I am not a perfect person. May Satan take thise lying, worthless saviors. Consider it Ransom, collateral, Insurance, Appeasement.

I just received a “prayer rug” from Saint Matthew’s and looked them up. I am interested in Christian Mysticism as not all of us were brought up in Weber’s Bread, Kraft Cheese and the corner “Do as I say or be Dammed” church. My opinion is if you have an issue, ignore the mail, but do not blame anyone who decides to donate, or blame any political party or other religious groups. Christianity is about forgiveness, forgiveness and unstoppable praise for that forgiveness, if you are down on these people pray for them, instead of ranting online somewhere.

Dear Livinglargeby faith, you are right.
If you were duped, God knows what’s in your heart and may choose to bless you. I was duped by these people because I was poor and desperate for hope, and I got a check for ninety dollars and another for fifteen, plus my mom gave my two hundred…but…once you know it is a scam you cannot continue to give them money and expect God to be okay with that…give it to your church or a reputable charity instead.

I bought into it at first, but it just didn’t ring true the way they used the scriptures to talk about how God wants us to prosper, because He was not talking about money. He probably prefers us poor anyway! Plus, we can’t all be wealthy.
“The poor you will always have.”
And they kept saying I should stop dwelling on the past, which I don’t and it was ticking me off. I am not dwelling on it, but apparently you are, I wanted to shout.

And they try to say you don’t have faith if you don’t give them money, which ticked me off, too. I have faith in God, but not this shady scheme. Why should I have to do these ridiculous rituals? Why not just humbly pray to God?

I’ve been getting this garbage as well. I’ve written back twice, including their “Gifts” broken or torn into shreds. I’ve given them a cease and desist for the last time. I never signed up for this crap, and I don’t want it! The next thing I receive from them is getting return ripped up with a few provacative pictures of men and women in underwear, which is what I’ve told these idiots would happen. The next thing received will include naked picture so that they will know exactly how it feels to recieve unwanted and unasked for garbage.

I’m about at the point of telling the post office to return as refused anything that comes from Saint Matthew’s Churches and Voice of the Martyrs. The only thing these people are doing is forcibly shoving me farther away from their cult. I want nothing to do with “Organized Religion” as that is the cause of all the conflict in this world.

I recieved a letter from saint Matthews church.. They never asked me for a penny… They even sent me the blessed cross… I believe that if you believe and you have faith in god all things are possible… No matter if it’s a scam or not… It’s all about faith… I don’t think this church is a scam, this church gives people hope… I also believe that people can change… And we should all forgive

I RECEIVED A NUMBER ON APIECE OF PAPER AND TOLD NOT TO OPEN IT UNTIL I PUT MY NEEDS ON PAPER AND SENT 1 DOLLAR .THE NEXT DAY I PLAYED THAT NUMBER AND LOST THEN I PLAYED IT AGAIN FOR TEN DOLLARS AND IT ACTUALLY CAME IN A 5000 PROFIT. TOO BAD I DIDNT PLAY IT FOR MORE. IM CERTAIN IT WILL NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN BECAUSE GOD HAS A SENSE OF HUMOR AND WORKS MYSTERIOUSLY THROUGH PEOPLE.

I also replied back and sent money in. I am a 25 yr. old mother and wife my husband is away at the time. nothing was going right in my life so when the letters came it seemed they were always at the right time. i did everyhting they said and sent money like i said. i am a full time student and work two jobs. life is hard. so when these letters came i would cry when i read them. It was like god was really speaking to them and i was gonna be BLESSED!!! Well i had lost my job and i stoppped sending money. Then i found another and i guess i woke up or something. One day i was reading the letter i had received that week and it always gives a specific amount to sent so i started to get suspecious of this. i sent in some money but it was all i had to my name i dug in my couch and everwhere to find this money. this is how desperate i was for a blessing from above. finally i stopped sending money it bothered me how not one letter came in that didn’t ask for money. i feel hurt and used. but that is what our world has become evil and there is alot of people out here only for worldly things. i will pray and do good here as much as i can. The Good Lord knows all we do and he will reward us in his time in his way. As for these people out here involved in these scams making a buck. Hey buddies u can’t take it with you when u leave and u will be the ones paying the price. it hurts my heart to know they prey on the innocent and not so fortunate. God Bless Ya’ll and I will Pray for ya’ll… we will never be able to put an end to all scams. All we can do is Pray and continue to Pray. God Bless You All.

looking in
I agree with you. I started out with some over welming troubles and the letters came at my worst moment when I was at my whits end. it seemed to lift me up and I responded by sending money. I turned to the bible and hung on every word they said. I started getting suspicious when letters were coming 3 in a week asking for large amounts of money each time. I wrote and said my husband was going to divorce me if he found out but still the letters kept coming every 2 days. After Christmas I decided to write a personal letter telling them all the good faith things that happened and I sent a Seed Harvest donation with it in my own addressed envelope mailed 12/28/11 The check has yet to appear in my account as of 1/26/12. So today I have spent hours researching the church ministry and now I am responding to your comments.
I preyed for the minister James Ewing and all his helpers that GOD will save their SOLES. But one good thing is that I started reading the Bible. AMEN

I get these letters quite often from Saint Matthews, and at first they did not ask for money so I responded. But then they started asking for money, but I know a con artist when I see one. As a minister, and growing up in the ministry, I have seen many con artists. When you have to ask for money, beg for money, etc., I know you are a scam. Eventually, I stopped responding, but nonetheless, they keep writing me and sending me stuff. I know what the Bible says, and I know what they are doing is very wrong, and also know that these false prophets are not getting a dime from me whether they try to rip me off with their mail scams, their TV scams (which I don’t watch TV preachers), or when they wander into the church.

I have sent these people money maybe 100 bucks in these lattst six months or so Thier letters asking for offering are relentless I asked for another cross but still have not recieved it I AM going through a difficut time right now and I WAS falling FOR thier crap I was planning to send another offerin and something told me to check them out on line THIS morning I Threw that crap in the trash these are the end times and there are many false prophets or shall I say PROFITS i am GLAD I found out they fit that catergory

These people are like the warlock apostle today that says a prayer to jesus will save you. Then they say that it won’t save you. Now they want money, work for them free of charge, proseletyze others. They lure you in with the lie that the prayer will get you to heaven. Then they say that you got to do other things. May they be seen as a stumbling block to those seeking truth. May the world reject them and ‘their’ god and jesus.

May Satan devour these thieves. All the preachers across the world. All of the con artists that steal from me. All that lied to me. They are spiritual rapists. Some physical, as well. Like the conquistadors and crusaders. Murders, pedaphiles, baby killers (their own children.) Little girls die. Little boys raped. All in the name of the Lord. May they perish. Apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers. All of the liars, thieves, hypocrites. All of the phonies. May Satan take them. Whatever it takes. Damn the liars that sit on the throne of david. Whatever they deserve. Whatever it takes.

I have donated to ST.Matthews church over ten years. They never ask for any specific amount of money. I have recieved many blessings since I have been in contact with them. Either you believe or you don’t.If it is a scam they will answer to God.

Lets face facts folks , this is a complete scam and enablers like mr Davis perpetuate this scums actions . I will never force my non-belief in mans biggest scam against man ( religion ) , but i get sick to my stomach thinking that an elderly person with no income sends these scum what little money they have . Fact of the matter is why cant you get in touch with them and only contact there ceo/lawyer . I just want off this mailing list and the poor folk that need something to grasp to well…. i am sorry for you sincerely

After reading the posts here,I have faith that there are a lot of good,caring people out there. Never forget that God sees all the dirty tricks the scammers are doing using His name.He also sees the needs of his people who cry out to him in truth and humility.One of the lessons learned here is that we all can approach God directly without all this voodoo gimmick these snake oil salesmen are selling.They are greatly deceived in thinking they won’t be accountable for all the souls they’ve led astray. These people are hiding under non profit status calling themselves churches when all they are is money mills.Maybe tar and feathers should be sent to them in their post paid envelopes.Thank God for the lesson in wisdom.I firmly believe that God allows the truth to come out sooner or later.I fell for the students of Ewing for years.Rod Parsley sent prayer cloths, Robert Tilton sent some junk.And, I am even wondering if Feed the Children got some marketing advice from the same group.I couldn’t keep up with their mailings and finally after several years of donations wrote and told them to remove me from their mailing list.It took a while for that to happen.I hadn’t gotten mail in over a year and just this week, I get a postcard from them asking for ….I will feed people in my own town who I know will be helped.

I sent seed money, once every other month. Then the letters came twice a month, and from different postal areas. Finally they kept asking for more money than they had at first, for some reason. Maybe they looked into my financial picture somehow on the internet, though I never gave them much information. There is nothing wrong with prayer and they do not preach evil, and they do have a formula for success…it is all inside you, and it is easier if you have faith. I now feel that they have tipped their hand with a rise in seed payments…and have stopped sending them anything. Greed has consequences…all about sowing seeds of trust.

PEOPLE STOP CRYING GOD SAY GIVE IT WILL BE GIVE BACK TO U I GIVE TO THIS CHRUCH AND GOD HAVE GAVEN ME FAVER AND I HAVE GIVE TO PETER TO IT ON GOD TIME WHEN WE GET BLESSING NOT ARE THERE ALL WAS A ROUND LIKE ORAL ROBERTS SAID THERE COMEING OR GOING

I wonder… I just received a paper prayer rug. 30 min prior to opening it I was down. Really down. A fear attack. Like a panic attack but cold, lonely and so close to death. I opened the letter. Does this letter prove satan exists? It does seem like something the lord of flies would do; poison one’s mind, and from the pit of darkness offer false hope. Like the simple optical illusion of the open eyes, it’s a nice touch.

I seriously can’t believe any of you people actually gave this outfit money. Between the ridiculous “rug” and the poorly written 19th century faith based propaganda, I thought surely everyone would toss this into the garbage.

Even if you’re foolish enough to put faith in an unknown, you should be able to have your head far enough out of your own ass to see that people are willing to take advantage of your superstition.

Do you really think an omnipotent, omniscient creator works through pissy little letters with bad grammar? Or that he’ll make your life easier if you just say please?

Remember what the Bible says about “WOLVES IN SHEEPS CLOTHING”,. and don’t trust something just because it has “Jesus” or Bible verses written on it. NEVER.
These “St. Matthews Churches” scammers specifically rely on people’s assumptions that religion (and religious claims) make people good and honest.

If you EVER consider sending money to ANYONE or ANY organization, look them up on the internet FIRST. Any reputable operation (like the Red Cross) will happily list their finances and how donations are used.

I too am a firm believer in the power of prayer.I have received many mailings and do what they ask only to send back a small seed offering or times nothing at all.God help them if they are using HIS name only to make themselves wealthy and prosper!

Many years ago I had lost a good job to crime…then the recession hit. I was so devastated that I started praying alot. I got a letter in the mail by Popoff, declaring that I would receive a HUGE blessing if money and riches soon. I sent his church $60.00 from my fathers inheiritance money I still had in the hope of not getting evicted from my apartment. No huge finances came. I lost my apartment, had to sell my car, and move my stuff into storage since the place I moved into was smaller. I had to get back into college to get money coming in from Federal loans to live on. My financial situation got better only because I won a social security case, got backpay and was able to move into Section 8 eventually. I almost went homeless! My backpay from working three jobs all my life is now gone. I only have my SSI income. I still owe $24,000.00 in Federal Stafford loans, $1,960.00 in a Perkins loan, $9,000.00 in credit card debt. I’ve had to buy two cars, move twice since the recession, and buy some household items since they basically fell apart after so many years. I paid out $4,000.00 for storage fees in the 7 years I was going to school. All in all, a cost of around $70,000.00 to date. Just a few weeks ago, I received a letter from the Saint Matthews Church you describe. I sent them a list of all the money I owe. They sent me a postcard telling me I needed to “sow a seed” and get God’s financial plan. They are scammers. Finding out that Popoff is a conspirator makes me livid! I am waiting fir their letter so I can give them a piece if my mind! Why haven’t these con artists been arrested? I believe in GOD, but, these people are using the name of GOD to scam people. I will never give them another dime! I have never believed in sowing a seed anyway. I only tried it that one time due to my emotional “state of mind” at that time in my life. Don’t be fooled by these Low Life’s….do not send them any money!!!!!!

STOP st.matthews LETTERS FOR GOOD! Let’s stop these frauds.
HERE IS HOW: Do as some of us have, fill out form 1500 from the Post Office it’s called an Application for Listing and/or Prohibitory Order. I believe this form is correct for stopping these frauds but I myself got this information from another thread about st matthews scam letters, never the less, I still filled out the 1500 form that I got online. the Post office will know absolutly for sure which form is correct. I do know that the only way to stop them is to do something about it, take some action with the Postal Service. Thank you

I am in horror at the comments here from people that were WARNED (here or elsewhere) that they are being taken in by a scam and continue to send money. I am in complete disbelief of some of these comments saying things like “Is it a scam, I don’t know, but I’ll keep sending money just in case it isn’t”

Hello Bloggers,
Just a word to the wise, that appalling letter that Saint Matthew’s Churches sent to me about, “Get my priorities straight…Your time in the arena of life is short….”, who are they to say where the end of life is for any man! Only God has that knowledge, not man, especially a sleaze!

God has already blessed me with longevity, and even longer, and no man can take that away from me!

Anyway, whose to say when the end of days is for anyone. Especially a sleaze! Only God has that knowledge. God has already blessed me with longevity and longer, and no man can take that from me!

I feel that, I am more of a prophet than Ewing will ever be, because, I always knew that, when they would not be receiving any more donations from me, he’d have to write something that he felt would get a response out of me. O.K., so that obscene prophesy did it!

All i know is they saved my life GOD blesses me everyday now that i have learned a few things from them.That is prayer changes everything.I was suicidal and depressed to the max.I started going back to church and that is when my life changed.Ever since something good happens to me on a daily basis,i even got the job i prayed for!!!they showed me the err of my ways and i thank GOD for them and i will continue to support them.They just sent me 2 nice books,this cost money which is why they ask you to donate whatever you can like every other church does.AMEN

I am so glad I found this Blog-Site. Something told me, as well, to look up St. Matthew’s Churches on-line. I have sent $$$$ to them, “in faith”, for a span of 4 years, maybe. But, not often. Funny thing with me is, that, I would resolve to be a “Partner with the LORD” in my finances by sending regular “offerings” with the Seed-Faith Booklet, and, I would be “lead” to send for about 2 or 3 times, and I would, then, sort of just “stop sending” for no apparent reason of my own. I also, saw no results of amazing “blessings” from me faithfully sending in “Seed-offerings”. But, anyhow, The Spirit spoke to me, in my heart, softly, that there was something not right about how the SMC ministry always seemed to focus so much on “Money” and “Material Blessings”. I just recently sent them an amount, 3 months ago, and, still saw no “blessings” as a result. Now, today, being in financial straits, I even felt lead to send something after reading their latest “prophecy” over me about the Lord “laying on their hearts about (my) desperate financial need for a miracle”. I used the “anointed oil”, but, had nothing to send. Again, Someone layed it on my heart to check SMC on-line, and I found THIS Site. My heart sank abit to realize that I’ve been a proverbial sucker. Conned as conned can be. And, “WHY do I always fall for Satanic garbage” like this, esp. when I’m at least TRYING to be a serious Believer in the LORD! Those books that they send out regularly, like, little colourful and copiously illustrated with usually gorgeous depictions of JESUS and Bible Stories, and beautiful scenery of GOD’s green Earth…..those books seem so “Godly”, but, I guess when you’ve made MILLION$$$$ of green-backs from naive, but, longing-for-a-Miracle groupies like me, you can afford to publish and widely distribute tons of copies of such seemingly “genuinely Christian” literature. Anyway, I am DONE with being had. I truly ask GOD for HIS Forgiveness for being so blinded and for not heeding HIS Spirit’s subtle Warnings before. I know better now. And, I’ll be wiser with Money next time! So help me GOD!

I’m going to play “Joan of Arc”, here, and I am going to RECANT what I just said about St. Matthew’s Churches yesterday, on this Blog site. My reasons involve many things. But, at this point I am going to believe that St. Matthew’s Churches is truly of GOD, until I can find some better “proof” that they are “fraudulent” after all. Because, one thing, there are people, on here, who’ve commented against SMC, who aren’t even true Christians to begin with. It takes “Faith” to please GOD and to become one of HIS own Followers. And, some people just don’t really care to be a true Follower of GOD, much less, do so “in Faith”. To those kinds of people, “Faith” is foolishness, and, they believe that a “GOD” must be seen to be believed. Anyway, GOD demands Faith. Because it was faithlesness in HIM that got mankind in their sinful mess in the first place. And, so, to “have Faith in GOD”, and to “receive soul-Salvation by Faith” is GOD’s Way of reversing the initial faithlessness of Adam and Eve. The SMC colourfully, illustrated booklets even state, at the end, that “NO ONE has to give a dime” to receive Prayer, or anything else. That, people, may freely give as GOD directs them. They send out copious letters that “ask for Offerings”, but, no one is really obligated to give. They even state that Miracles and Financial Blessings cannot be “bought” from GOD. It all has to do with “sowing and reaping”. So, I leave with those thoughts and considerations. Burn me at the stake, if you must…..

Marlow, That is correct that GOD HIMSELF does not “need money”. But, it’s a fact that GOD utilizes HIS people, HIS Church to be HIS “arms and legs” on Earth, indwelt by HIS Holy Spirit to minister on Earth. And, HE enables HIS people to work to EARN MONEY to also use that money to supply HIS people with their personal needs and to help SUPPORT HIS KINGDOM MINISTRIES ON EARTH. To minister, it DOES REQUIRE MONEY. Money to buy food and clothing and shelter for the needy. And, money to manufacture, print, distribute and to supply people with Bibles and Bible Study materials. Money for overhead bills of Church Buildings. Money to support over-seas and foreign Missions and Ministries, etc., etc. Yes, the Gospel is “Free” yet, it requires necessities acquired by work and money to supply these necessities to Evangelize the World.,

All churches need to pay bills.All people have needs.My argument has nothing to do with that.That is a no brainerThe”Revs.”in that “church”are not just rich they are filthy rich.They got that way lying to people.People need help. And yes some get their prayers answered.But they could pray without making the “revs” richer.They are people that trust with with blinders on. Do you work for them?

marlow, You said that “GOD does not need money!”. That was all you said regarding how GOD uses money within HIS Church. You said it as if HE doesn’t use money period…..So, now you clarified yourself BETTER on your next comment. I do not support Greedy Wolves nor Thieves in the Temple! If SMC is a fraudulent “church” then, I am 100% AGAINST IT. But, I need better “proof” than the words of mockers. Because there are MANY who mock GOD HIMSELF, too! If you or someone has better text-proof of the falsehoods of SMC then I will “believe”. Again, if SMC is fake, I’ll accept that whole-heartedly!

I worked for him for NOTHING starting when I was 13 and 14.My Dad taught me how to run all the machines.How to put the mag.together so so much more.I was an expert at all the makings of his mailings.Everything was by hand or with crude machines back in the late 60s and70s.I saw with my own eyes how he started making huge money from the start!We grew so fast had to move in a much bigger place very quick. I helped with every department.The counting room was the worst for me.The money was counted in a locked room.The letters were trashed!I had to do what they called daily mail when short handed.I never wanted to do that.SAD SAD SAD People begging for little scraps of material or whatever he was SELLING that month.Begging for help.NONE OF THE SO CALLED REVERANDS EVER SEEN ANY OF THE LETTERS.The orders were filled the money collected and the letters were trucked to the dump and burned.I DARE ANYONE TO CALL ME A LIAR. I SEEN SO SO SO MUCH!Even as a young girl I knew it was wrong.As soon as I TURNED18 I left and never worked for him again!There is so many things to tell.I just can not begin to say on this forum.There is just too much!

Cris, You are right. But, as I said, Let’s get some PROOF and not just suspicious mockers and show that it IS really a scam, and then we’ll ALL know for certain. And, as Christians, we can raise our voices up LOUDER against the frauds that rip people off in the Name of the LORD. I don’t want to believe in a false ministry. And, I’m willing to face that SMC is false if they really are. And, if they are, I would be very willing to be vocal against them. I’m not afraid to face the truth. I just want to be SURE that it’s “the TRUTH” that SMC is as fake as they are being accused, is all. For, otherwise, we are not to bear false witness nor SLANDER other people, much less the Brethren in the LORD.

“Let’s get some PROOF and not just suspicious mockers and show that it IS really a scam, ”
Read the article that you are commenting on. There is plenty of evidences cited and linked to this.
Google “St. Matthews Churches scam” and you will get 78,000 + results!
Check all the complaints to the better business bureau.

If anything, just look at the cheesy nonsense that they send you in the mail- A mass-printed paper “prayer rug” that you wish on and send back? Now really!

He has been using the same gimmicks for over 50 years.Taught other preachers how to con people out of there money.He uses the fear of God that people have.People give money and think “what have I got to lose”He uses the fear of God.And he lives by the old saying (it is easier to con a million people out of one dollar than one person out of a million dollars)when it is a small amount people thin oh well it is just a little.

I have been giving to SMC for quite a few years now but recently my heart was telling me something was wronge. I have received many blessings in my life and as I look back now it was way before I started giving to them. I have been praying to God to show me the truth and in my searches I don’t like what I have found. I know God knows my heart and that all the money I have gave in the past was for him and my faith. I think about all the thousands I have given could have went to somewhere or someone that truely needs it. I will not be giving to SMC anymore. God says we should be happy in giving but every time I get a letter my heart sinks. God knows my financial condition and has answered the questions that were laying on my heart. God is not a God of confusion and I don’t feel good about SMC anymore or what they are doing. This link and a numerous of other areas I have searched was my answer. For those of you that need more answers, check out the Better Business Bureau Report for SMC. I love God and am going to believe he has the answers if I only ask for them. I also believe that Satan will fool those that he can. God has never left me in the past and I trust my life to him through prayer and a daily relationship with him. God also says that there will be a heavy price to those who mislead his children so I will not be angry if I was lied to by SMC for they are the ones that will be held accountable when the gates of heaven open.

Thanks for your testimony in this matter, Debbie. As you might see from above I’ve been riding the fence on this with St. Matt’s Church. I’ll look into the BBB Report you alluded to here. YAHUSHUA’s Blessings to you!

I am related to Gene Ewing.I am ashamed to admit it.I was made to work for him starting at age 13.I was there when he first started.I am now 63.I have never forgot the desperate letters coming through his daily mail.So sad.Some things that have been said about Gene are very true.There are things that are even worse.If you send any more money you will be helping his son Paul and Brenda and any grandchildren to continue living a rich lifestyle. To be fair his children might not approve of their Dads stealing all these years.I have not seen them in years.When we were growing up I really loved them.They were not made to work in the office or warehouse.This was when it was at Grand Prairie Tx.

Sandra Marlow, thank you for commenting on this article.
Humans are psychologically wired to minimize or ignore when they find out they’ve been fooled.

No one wants to believe they could be scammed by someone appealing to their own deepest held spiritual beliefs, their own emotional needs.

That is probably one reason this has managed to go on so long- The embarrassment at being fooled keeps people quiet at best, at worst they will refuse to believe the evidence and “faith” the problem away.

It’s nice to read the view point of someone that was on the “inside” , and this might help people better than anything else to see this operation for what it is.

marlow, Have you ever been more vocal about exposing this Mr. Ewing? Since you worked for him and were someone who witnessed these things first-hand, have you tried to do more to call him publicly, for the sake of curtailing this scheme? And, for the sake of protecting others from being ripped off by him, if he is the fraud that he is alledgedly to be? I mean, mentioning about it here on Tiny Frog is good. But, as BIG as this “ministry” is and as far-reaching as it is, it seems that more efforts would be made to really try to expose him, if he’s a real fake. Do you know what I mean?

Am greatful for this site. I too was a damn fool. Have 4 letters to mail, this time not with money but with LEAD. Postage might be a bit higher. God knows I’ve been a good person all my life and I don’t need to send money for HIS approval. Things will get better for me. I have faith. I believe in God and that is all that matters. Will try not to be conned again. Marlow, come forward and try to help those that can’t see quickly and clearly!

Unfortunately, the ones here who see that light regarding how false St. Matthews is, will only turn around to send their money to another scam that is based on “faith” and “blessings”. Also, for every one that stops sending money to St. Ms, they will be replaced by someone else, so no big loss for them.

Growing up under poverty while my parents set aside 20% (every 3rd year 30%) to their “church” was wrong. (Like above, poor people sending money to a church where their “leaders live in wealth). How much more opportunity in life could me, my brothers and sisters offer others in our local communities if we were given tools of living in a better financial circumstance when we were young.

From my experience and as confirmed by several misguided people above, many victims taken in by these cults/scams have less education (as noted from the lack of grammar and spelling mistakes in their posts), and many are also very trusting humble honest and loyal. These con artists play and prey upon their circumstances and gifts. “Oh, look they don’t ask for money in their pamphlets, so they must be pure and divine, so I’ll send them money”.

Many others who are scammed have mental health issues such as GAD, dementia, depression and schizophrenia. Taking money from people who are desperate or vulnerable is morally wrong and should be criminal with laws not allowing them to get away with it. (They should be at least be held accountable for what they receive and where they spend it).

However, one type of attitude which some people have which I have little sympathy for is the motive of GET. Giving to some far away church or sending some money because of some prayer cross/tile/rug/cloth in order to receive a blessing/better health/more money/another job/happy relationship. True love lasts. False love dies eventually. True love is not based on get or is based on receiving/expecting something back. That’s called greed. You want something in life? Earn it!

Please, if anyone out there sends money to a church or religion, please tell several other friends and/or family members what you are giving and to whom you are giving. If it is proper and legit, there should be no reason to be ashamed of doing so.

I love getting these letters they give hope god uses people to get his message across the bible says he uses people even ones you may not to get his word out there truthful or not read the bible you doubters are not god…

If you are giving to gods work in faith your not suppose to question where it goes if there is wrong being done it is his to deal with not your as the bible says I will go before you an make the crook paths straight .

Lori, that is exactly the kind of attitude scammers like this love.
They pretend like they are “doing God’s work”, and naive, innocent people just cannot believe people would use their own religion to scam them.

If you won’t listen to reason, then at least take some advice from the Bible:

“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.”
Matt 7:15

But, we are also called to use Wisdom. We ought to do at least a little research into a Ministry before we start sending it money. Praying about it first, of course, too. Sending money to any questionable Ministry must first be found to be faithfully doing the LORD’s Work at all.

Cris and GordonG. do you trust god? he sees all who said you had to send money prayers are truly free if these people are doing wrong the one who created all sees all and the lord said vengeance is mine……

Lori,
The Bible says “test all things and hold to that which is good” (1 thess 5:21)
That means don’t be gullible, the evidence is out there that this is a corrupt organization, if you refuse to look at the evidence, that doesn’t make it go away.
Use the brain God gave you, its there for a purpose.

Sandra, You say that there are “true Believers” at this St. Matthew’s Church. If that is so, I don’t understand how these Believers would tolerate being a part of the financial charade. Why do they even stay? If they were really true Believers I think that I could safely say that Almighty GOD would be calling them to come out of that Church and be separated from them and to, therefore, have no part with such darkness. Do you know what I mean? So, what gives? Is it not possible that even they aren’t true Believers after all? OR, somehow the Ewings have their scheme so well hid that the Believers are totally unaware of what’s going on behind the scenes. BUT, NO, because still, GOD knows what’s going on behind those scenes and would be, again, calling them to come out of such a church. So, how can this be? I’m just trying to get the whole picture. ‘Cause I USED TO send money to this St. Matthew’s Church from time-to-time. I have since stopped doing so, even though they still send me their mailings. I just toss them in the trash can. Though I have enjoyed the graphics of the LORD in their booklets and such. Can you explain further about these “Believers”?

lori, “Judge not, lest ye be judged” does not mean we are not to “judge” or be discerning. It means that we’re to be careful how we judge, because whatever way we judge others, by that same way we shall be judged in return. In other words, if we’re going to try to pluck a splinter out of a Brother’s eye, we’d better make sure we’ve gotten rid of the splinters out of our own eyes first. That way, we’ll also be able to see clearly to help the Brother. And, we are not to be pointing out any sins in our Brothers’ lives when we have similar sin in our own. That’s hypocrisy. I’ve been guilty of that myself, so I know what it is, but, I have learned my lesson big time since. So, we are to use WISE judgment, not hypocritical judgment.

Another thing, We, therefore, are to use discernment regarding any Ministry, first, before sending money. For, if a ministry is not really serving GOD, than the money would be helping the Devil’s work, instead. And, for that, GOD would hold us, each, accountable.

I find most of what St. Matthew’s teaches, as in their booklets they mail out, as being Biblical, but, I fear they lean a bit too much on the side of monetary gain and material blessings (from GOD). Those things are not wrong, in and of themselves, but, they should not be our focus and reason for loving GOD nr be our goal in this life.

There’s just something about it, in their teaching, that seems to focus inordinately of that, and it does not sit well with my spirit.

It is incredibly sad to see his & all his fellow “Revs.” are still conning people. Nobody wants to admit they have been conned. They prey on the poor &desperate. People do not ever want to believe that a man of God could con people.They have taught the next generation & will teach the next after that. They are ALL millionaires many times over! The reason all the cronies are still with the game is MONEY. They had to build a church to get out of taxes.I am sure there are people going to that church building that believe in God. When I was MADE to work for them 99% of their mailing list consisted of Black people,Hispanics,& desperate people. People send money they get rich! They use fear & intimidation to get money! They will always get away with it by hiding behind religion. And sadly most of the people will never believe me or anyone telling the truth. And it will go on and on and on and on. 😥

Matthew 7:15 is not about us the lord was speaking to his disciples when he was getting them ready to go into the world to preach the gospel there. was groups he did not want them to bother because they did not believe in him if you read the matt..7chapter you will also see that there are many tests in life but he wants you to trust in him we are all tested in some way ever day.

Kris do you read your bible every day ? I do an first of all Thessalonians are a church in bible time an Paul was asked to preach these letter s written by Paul an he did this for our lord not for us if you truly read you bible you would know an praying to our lord does not mean a fool he sees all.

Ok, I see you won’t listen to reason, probably because you’ve already sent these scammers money.

To admit to yourself that there is evidence that proves they are scammers would make you feel foolish for sending them money, but as the old saying goes, “They fool you once, shame on them, you let them fool you again, shame on you”

Read the confessions of the former employees that told of where this money REALLY goes.

I’m trying to help you, if you want to give your money to proven scammers after being repeatedly warned, then you only have yourself to blame.

See this why I get frustrated. They refuse to listen! Let me tell you about one of their scams back firing. They were telling people about helping poor people in a poor country . They told about these people not having clothes. Well they got a lot of money but they wound up with the warehouse full of clothes. Of course the clothes never went anywhere but the dump. Do you think these people will believe? Nope!

Kris the bible says do not judge in less you be judged if you truly paid attention to the letters an booklets they send toward the back of the books it says you do. not have to send money they will. still pray for you since you are not god you do not know who he used to get his message across Gordon g had it right god said prove me now it also mean check the scriptures do they line up with bible. he also said. Seek first the kingdom then all these things. will be added gods timing is not ours

I tried for years and years. This man is my uncle. I was made to work for him at 13. Your letters only get read to fill orders and collect money. They NEVER prayed for anyone. Genes first wife divorced him because he cheated on her so many times we lost count. I don’t know if his kids are with him or Joyce. That was his first wife. He could care less about his nieces and nephews. My dad worked for him. It caused Mom & Dad to divorce. Mom could not handle the way they took advantage of people.I have zero reason to inform people. I had to work in the money room some and it was sickening. We read to see if someone want a piece of tent or whatever was the trinket they used to squeeze more money out of the”suckers”. None of you will believe me & will continue giving money to a bunch of con artist. I thought I would try one more time.

No I try to warn people when I can. They refuse to listen. They want to believe in those con artist! By the time I was 14 every single one of the “preachers” were diving brand new Lincoln Conts. One of my cousins that lived with him got a new Thunderbird(baby blue).They paid cash. One of the “preachers” surprised me. He struck me as a good man. But he was lured by money and is still with them. And got filthy rich too. I can not believe they are still using some of the same cons that worked back in the 1960s. But it still works so they figure why not. They were hawking tiny little bails of “holy water”it came from the Grand Prairie Tx. water dept. Not one prayer was said! I am ashamed to admit that evil man is my uncle. And people will not believe a word I am saying.That is how they all got filthy rich.

I am not here to tell you not to believe in God. I want you all to stop making con artist richer. My uncle will die soon he is an evil old man that has lied to millions of people. He taught other crooked ” preachers” how to con people too! It is sickening how many people will continue giving money to the next generation of liars & thieves.

Hello! This is kind of off topic but I need some help from an established
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out pretty fast. I’m thinking about making my own but I’m not sure where to start.

I believe, each and everyone that recieves a letter from a church , with beautifull sayings about god. which some people have their own religion, and i respect them. but for me i am a catholic. and i recieved a letter from a methodist church , with words that made me feel great inside . I for one if its a scam than i rather have a scam that makes me feel great with words , than a scam that makes me feel like i lost a my house my keys my families trust fund. sorry . sometimes being way to cautious can makes us way to ignorant . i guess when you go to church to prey and they pass the little basket thats a scam to right. i really dont care if they prey for me or not . i have two hands , i prey for those who need the preyer. they got my attention and they got me to believe in god more than ever .i have never felt so great than after i received that letter that ignorant humans being can call a scam . how does a church scam you. if someone has a different religion than what the letter offers dont open it . return to sender . i respect every religion. like i want mine to be respected too.

btw , st matthew church does exist , and whoever is saying that its a scam because their dad worked for them or their mom,. or what ever. i have friends that have gone to that church and they do prey in a small chapel. for with a list of people. and those letter do not say give me your money. only you choose to give a donation . if you please to . what a bunch of ignorant human beings.. that want to give a church a bad reputation. whoever doesnt like this church or what they do . i suggest go find a hobby if you are bored.

See this is why I quit trying! Of course you are fooled. They have believers in their church. They cover their bases. And you call yourself a believer. How dare you call me a liar!!! You don’t have a clue what I even wrote. I wil stop short of calling you stupid. I am telling you Gene Ewing is my uncle. I worked long hard hours at his place in Grand Prairie Tx. I am saying the people at the top don’t care one bit about you or anyone!! ALL THEY CARE ABOUT IS YOUR MONEY!!! They use God to get your money! And don’t you dare call me a liar again!Go ahead and make them richer. I suggest you try to get ahold of the main “preachers”. You will never succeed.They will NEVER have an e-maol address. Once on the internet always on the internet! Make no mistake they LOVE people like you. You want to believe in them and you will spread the word for them. And for your information I am not telling you not to believe in God. That is your right. I spent many nights crying over some of the letters that came in the daily mail! The first years he had horses, indoor swimming pool, all had bend New cars.Big beautiful home in Handly Tx. They live in Beverly Hills now. So keep sending your money. I am sure they will need to go to Paris or somewhere! And of course they have a church. They have to keep the picture pretty. And more than likely they have true believers overseeing the church. I do not have a darn thing to gain or lose by telling a tiny bit of my story. LET ME REPEAT THAT!! I DO NOT HAVE ANYTHING TO GAIN OR LOSE!!!! Jane or whatever your name is you can believe in God without making these con artist rich!! I sure am hoping you are not a child. I am trying to hold back in case you are.

How dare you “Jane” I use my real name!!! My dad’s name was Henry E. Ewing Jr. My uncle’s name is Eugene Ewing. He liked Gene. They had a sister Pauline. They lost another sister Nettie Jo. She died in a fire when they were children. My grandmother’s name was Lizzie. My grandfather died in a car accident when I was about 15.So you b**** have the nerve to tell me to get a hobby! They used to laugh at people like you! And I NEVER said my mother worked for him!!! She HATED what they were doing!

Of course the church is real! And there are true believers going there. If they did not they would have to pay a lot of taxes!That is what I can not get some poor people to understand. They don’t make their money from the church. They do it through MAIL ORDER!! The church helps them keep it tax free.

This is why I stopped trying to make people understand! I absolutely do not want to change their beliefs. I just want them to know the truth about how they con people by mail. Gene Ewing & his close knit circle make millions by mail. What really surprises me is the cheesy crap that he used in the 60s is still working today

They absolutely have to have a real church in order to keep their tax exemption! Any church have their true believers. That is not were they make their money. They make their millions through their mailing operation. This is why I don’t try to convince the magical thinking people. Just thought I would one more time. The mailing list is their big money.

REV EWING IM TELLING THE WORLD NOT TO SEND YOU SHIT. YOU GOT RICH EXPLOYTING GODS INNOCENT CHILDREN HOW CAN YOU CALL YOU SELF A MAN OF GOD IM LETTING EVERYONE KNOW ABOUT ST MATHEWS IS A FAKE CHUCH LIKE ALL THE REST REV EWING IS A FALSE PROFIT WHO USES GOD TO STEAL YOUR MONEY HE IS A RASIST BASTERD. HE DONT LIKE BLACKS,LATINOS .ALL HIS DONATIONS GO TO A PO BOX NOT A REAL ADDRESS I WORKED FOR REV EWING AS A KID I WAS FIRED BECAUSE MRS SNYDER&REVEWING DID NOT WANT ME TO KNOWW ALL YHE MONEY THEY WERE BRINGING IN OFF OF MY PICTURES THAT THEY WERE FROM FEED THE CHILDREN. I LOST MY FIRST CHILD BECAUSE REV EWING HAD AN HIT OUT ON ME REV EWING BEEN TRYING TO SEND PEOPLE TO KILL ME HE HAD MY 5YEAROLD DAUGHTOR KILLED BECAUSE I WAS COMMING FORWARD TOP TWELL MY STORY ABOUT HIM KIDNAPPING ME FROM HONDURAS ALL I WANT TO KNOW WHO I AM AND WHERE IS MY FAMILY YOU RUIN MY LIFE BUT I THANK GOD THE REAL ALMIGHTY GOD FOR KEEPING ME ALL THESE YEARS TO STAND UP TO YOU AND OTHERS WILL ONE DAY PAY FOR MY FUCKED UP LIFE THAT YOU CAUSE ME DEPPESION I HAVE A SERVER CASE OF ATHORITIS FROM ALL THE BEATINGS THAT YOU LET PEOPLE DO TO ME FROM AGE FIVE. I CANT WAIT WHEN YOU MEET YOUR MAKER VICKEYTHESURVIVOR@GMAIL.COM

It is so sad that some people will never believe the truth! I can’t speak on what happened to you Victoria but I can about ripping pictures off from other organizations. They are all a bunch of vile thieves. They use anything to get peoples money.The people that need help the most never receive it. They send just enough to keep the I.R.S. away. They prey on mostly Black people,Hispanic people & desperate people. Also the true believers in God that think they are helping the poor & desperate. Those are the ones that have help all the “revs” rich. They will never believe us. Sad

anyone that was a victim of rev ewing you are not alone. jesus loves us he heres are prayers. keep the faith in god and you will be rewarded by god.god did not send rev ewing he is satan right hand man. who you will see one day answer for all the people he mislead keep praying keep the faith jesus did not do this stuff to us rev ewing greedy money hungry ass did. I thank jesus every day for me being here and surviving all the child abuse and molestations.im telling my story for others not to be a shame come forth with me to expose rev gene ewing the murdera,child molester,child abusers and kidnappers.help stop rev ewing he is stealing kids from all over the world. vickeythesurvivor.

I applaud your courage Victoria! This man has used and abused all his life. All we can do is tell the truth. Unfortunately so many believers in God will never believe us about Gene Ewing & his cronies! Luce, Snyder, Mac E,& all this rest are money hungry a**holes!! If any of you rotten thieves read this,feel free to write me. Remember me? Sandy Ewing,Busters daughter. I used to tease you Luce.I was only 16 & called you Lucy baby! Snyder I teased you too. You were shorter than most of the other con artist. Short & stocky. Mac you were in on the scam from the beginning! You & my uncle Gene had offices upstairs. My dad’s office was downstairs. He was in charge of keeping the whole scam going. That was in Grand Prairie Tx. Remember the World Compassion Magazines . My Mom taught us what a scam it was. One of the big reasons Mom & Dad split up I was made to work there. As soon as I turned 18 I quit & never looked back. Still there will be gullible people that will trust you scammers. I learned for myself what a crock it all was. You people laugh at the people for being stupid.Your words not mine. And Luce I could not believe when I found out you fell into the money trap. I thought you were a good man at first. I was wrong. But I was only 16 & 17.

dear sandra i really looking forward to talk to you. i hold no grudges angainst rev ewing all i want is answers im not looking for you to fill sorry for me i want nothing from you. i just want closer that does not cost anything. i forgive rev ewing i just pray that god touches his heart..that he will tell me who i am and where i come from. i really cant beleave how i was abandon all these years and none of theses people that work for rev ewing just live a lifestyle nknowing they did me wrong i did not ask to be here i tried to kill myself over and over again because i fill that the world is against me and ive been over looked for years.take your time when ever you want to talk pleaase call.may god bless you love victoria conner.

Victoria, If you want to forgive that den of thieves, do it for you. As far as myself no! I have been gone for a little while & did not have computer access! I will call you tomorrow if that is ok! Love to you…Sandy…And all you other people that refuse to believe they are scammers, all I can say is, there are so many scammers out there that will use your religion to get your money! This group taught many others. Their formula works. That is why they keep at it.They taught the next generation& no doubt the next-generation and on & on. They prey ( not pray ) the desperate & or gullible. None of you can say you have an e-mail that you can write them. You can burn paper. But once on the internet always on the internet. But most of you will not believe a word I said.At least I am trying to get the truth out! *sigh* I hope some listen. I do not have a thing in this world to gain by telling the truth. Some poor fool practically called me a liar. Well that is the kind of people that made them rich & will keep the generations to come rich.

Sandra, please get in tough with me. Would you be available to a radio interview. if interested, please email WHYS @ whysradio . org, and we can chat a little about it. I think you have a fascinating story.

You no what i was sitting thinking why my life have been turned up side down for many years and i have been wondering what’s going with my life i pray and pray and it’s seen like I’m not beening heard until something came to me st matthew church so i decided to look them up and i read about the scam and wasn’t only me sending them money and doing what the letter says this is hurtful so many hurting people got scam by this sad now let me tell yall what god told me i have been through so much in my life and now it’s time for a change I’m his child and he’s in control of it all and i shall have my blessing my prays answered and my life in changing as we he’s speaking to me and we rebuke the devil he shall not harm me anymore in jesus name amen

St Matthrew Church i respected as being a believer in GOD. I started receiving letters every 2-3days. One night i was instructed by God Holy spirit to investigate. Once i do it. To stop opening letters. Ministry ask for money. I will not send money. BE AWARE:The saying-WE Put many things on credit cards. I f u sow tithes do it at your local church home. St.Matthrew will send you besig enchanted coins with appears a man with a long nose and funny shape besrd. One day i gave a friend one. I ended up with 2 in my purse. They are evil. If u come in contact with one break it, burn it up.

I hope your husband isn’t accepting mail from St.MatthrewChurch.The scam is asking for a seed offering. I hope he did not get a book called SEEDHARVEST plan. That is how they get extra funds,telling you God will bless you and multiply the seed offering. Tell him to please don’t fall in the devils. This whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one Satan.I hope he stop and pray before your relationship turn to be a havoc.

I received mailings from St.Matthew Church. I have stopped opening the mail. I just discard of it. They are scammers and will have you stressed out like you are obligated to send money. I am not sendind no more donations so they can continue to get rich.

The scams are obvious
They write letters everyday. I do
not respond. I just rip or throw away any mail from St.Matthrew behind the desk and using a P.O Box church
Never know where your money gord
I know this
The church is getting tichet off the poot. I can’t stand it if you ate financially struggling they ask for money. I told them send me some money
No redponse LOL

Why dont you people report it? Are you scared?That so called glorious church is the devil worshippers doing scams and making a killing you know what I mean?Preying against you. Its Roman Magog getting its kicks with its tricks. Give me a source to take it down, write me back and tell me soon, comment me back on glorialynn59@gmail.com .

Do what I do. I stuff as much materials from other religon soul feeders into their return envelopes. Mormon, Jahovah’s, krishnas, and even satanists. The envelope looks like a football when I tape it shut. Off it goes to them and they pay the difference in weight. They keep sending more con jobs and I share the crap with other churches and have a field day with the self righteous hypocrisy all these holy rollers show. Six of one and half a dozen the other. Next I think I will send them an offer so silly they just throw it out. But then it will be an tacit acquiesce and thus they accepted thenoffer. Then some more legal papers sent and finally I sue them for breach of contract. Scam the scammed but use corporate law to do so. The judge will be on my side of course since I will engineer which circuit use to mediate. But conning. A conman is no easy thing. I hope they have become so bloated with greed they miss the hook in my bait. It is sad though that poor and unwell in the mind people fall for this crap. The moment I viewed the envelope I counted at least six red flags pop.-Barabbas

I too,unfotunately have been receiving mail from them,i too sent them money,but,i felt,like something was wrong,so I googled them,and found them to be like Peter Popoff.Why do people do that against God? Glad I googled

I don’t know how I got on the mailing list either I have written them back I have did everything I don’t know if I need to contact the Postmaster General but this is a scam God did not ask for any salary god never asked for money please tell me how to get off there list my be I old and feel I got money but I not that old or crazy